[DayZero-289]

I’ve got a C4OE-6015-C 289 block that I’ve had for about 25 years.

The code is cool because it’s an early 5-bolt that could be used as a Hi-Po restoration (don’t know it’s history, but it’s right for a K code). BUT! The really cool part to me is that the casting code is 4D17!!! That’s right, April 17, 1964, the very day that Henry Ford II stood on stage at the New York World’s Fair and unveiled the new Ford Mustang! So as Henry was talking, this very block was cooling in the foundry. So I named her Day Zero.

I think that is super cool, and this block is really special, so I’m having it cleaned up at the machine shop. I want a 347 for my ‘65 conv. So I’m debating using this block, or getting a crate motor. I kinda think this one belongs in a Hi-Po restoration car, and others tell me it has a lot of value, so I’m thinking of maybe selling it and puting that money toward a 347 crate engine.

Can anyone give me some guidance on it’s value? I can’t find any closed sale comps on Ebay or here. I take that as a sign that the’re getting pretty rare. My machinist tells me they’re super hard to find.

 

[awhtx]

It's worth whatever a willing buyer will pay. Put it on Fleabay with a $10,000 reserve and see how high the bidding goes. I really don't think the casting date is that big of a deal but if you do then see how much interest there is on Fleabay. Another member here was recently going to sell his 5 bolt 289 engine for scrap due to lack of interest.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I'm not a K expert, but pretty sure i've read that there is no such thing as a special k-code block. The K-codes did have several differences, but a special engine block was not among them.

Phil

 

[DrHawkeye]

It would be Day 1, cuz that was the first day (officially) for Mustangs to be sold. Wouldn't work in my car cuz mine was built Mar 23.

 

[ivygreen65]

Why do you think this block has any K-code ties? Does the block have the thicker Hipo main caps? The date is ironic, but it's applicable to a car built 1-3 weeks after the April 17 introduction date, so it has the same value as any early 64 5-bolt block. Also, as noted previously, it can be difficult to sell a 5 bolt block due to the limited use in the Mustang. The last one I sold was to a guy building an early slabside Cobra replica and he wanted a correct 5-bolt block for his 260. I was happy with the $200 he gave me for it.

 

[GT350HR]

+1 Without the hipo caps it's just a 289 block. There is NO truth to the rumor that the HiPo blocks were "special" much the same as the Hecho en Mexico blocks. The "build" for the hipo block simply stated use the thicker caps ( actually called out by casting number) on the blueprint.
Randy

 

[DayZero-289]

I'm not a K expert, but pretty sure i've read that there is no such thing as a special k-code block. The K-codes did have several differences, but a special engine block was not among them.

Phil

Yeah, that’s correct. All Hi-Po engines were a couple codes including this one, but not all engines with this code are Hi-Po. But if someone has a K code car they want to restore, and a cracked block, this one will do the trick.

 

[awhtx]

Yeah, that’s correct. All Hi-Po engines were a couple codes including this one, but not all engines with this code are Hi-Po. But if someone has a K code car they want to restore, and a cracked block, this one will do the trick.

There are ways to repair a cracked block, assuming you are talking about a crack from freezing on the outside. And the cylinders can be replaced with sleeves. If a K owner has his original block with the VIN stamped into it I'm sure he would spend the money to save it.

 

[66coupe289]

The date code may only be of worth a premium to:

• Someone doing a concours restoration of a car built in late April, early May 1964
• Someone fixated on a coincidental date code.

The block is less desirable to the average Joe due to the 5 bolt pattern.

Condition of block (is it freshly prepped for a rebuild) would likely have more impact on value.

 

[bmcgc]

It's a myth that a 5-bolt block is less desirable.

It builds and produces the same hp/tq as a 6-bolt block.

I'm going to run C4's in my cars and I have a couple 5-bolt bells, so send your less desirable 5-bolt block my way, postage prepaid of course.

I have a 250 that I would like to with a T-5, so I need a 6-bolt V8 bell for that engine. I want to drop that in a 67/68 vert someday.

 

[bmcgc]

One of my 5-bolt blocks has a cast date of 1 Jul. 64 and a build date of 8 Jul. 64. That's how fast parts were moving in 64.

 

[Helmantel]

The 289 Hipo engine became available in June or so, so it's unlikely that your block has anything to do with a Hipo. As others have pointed out, the Hipo engine used the same block as any 289, but with the thicker main caps. Of course, block and caps should be seen as a matched set, so in that sense there are Hipo block assemblies.

 

[Scode67FB]

289 HiPos were available a lot earlier than June 64, just not in a Mustang.Fairlanes, Comets and Cobras come to mind. If the OPs block has the right main caps, batch number and assembly date codes, it'll have some value to somebody, just not really to a Mustang guy. The earlier blocks didn't get the VINs stamped on them like the Mustangs did so it's harder to track them. I have this block in the pics below. It's a five-bolt HiPo, dated Nov 21, 1963 and verified legit by Bob Mannel. I've had a few offers on it, but I'm just not interested in having to ship it. I've had several offers of $1K+ just for the main caps but just haven't been motivated enough to take anybody up on these.

 

[66coupe289]

It's a myth that a 5-bolt block is less desirable.

It builds and produces the same hp/tq as a 6-bolt block.

I'm going to run C4's in my cars and I have a couple 5-bolt bells, so send your less desirable 5-bolt block my way, postage prepaid of course.

I have a 250 that I would like to with a T-5, so I need a 6-bolt V8 bell for that engine. I want to drop that in a 67/68 vert someday.

It's not less desirable for strength, but rather for finding proper bellhousing. There are just way more 6 bolts out there along with replacement block options if the need arises. The 5 bolt is just a bit of an odd ball in that regard. For those with matching odd ball parts, they are a match made in heaven.

 

[Helmantel]

289 HiPos were available a lot earlier than June 64, just not in a Mustang.Fairlanes, Comets and Cobras come to mind.

You're of course correct. I forgot about that.

 

[427heaven]

Agreed, the difficult part with running a 5 bolt block is the difficulty finding the lack of parts such as the 5 bolt bellhousing. If someone is looking for this combo maybe I can play match maker here, I have a 5 bolt manual bell housing looking for a new home.

 

[LSG]

Day, does your block have the fatter main caps ? If it does, you can sell it as a HiPo block. If it has regular main caps, then sell it to one of the Sunbeam Tiger guys. They are ALWAYS looking for 5 bolt 289 blocks. LSG

 

[awhtx]

If it has regular main caps, then sell it to one of the Sunbeam Tiger guys. They are ALWAYS looking for 5 bolt 289 blocks.

But the 4D17 casting date doesn't mean anything to them.

 

[LSG]

Aw, true, the Tiger guys don't care about the date OR the caps. But when we have had a 5 bolt block available, it is sold immediately in just acouple of phone calls. The Tiger guys are ALWAYS looking for the upgrade block, to easily replace 260. LSG